From The Conversation · Charles J. Russo · · 1m 10s
Oklahoma religious school case tests Supreme Court
Oklahoma’s first Jewish charter school may reach Supreme Court after deadlocked ruling.
In brief
Oklahoma’s first Jewish charter school may reach Supreme Court after deadlocked ruling. Oklahoma’s Jewish organization can now open a religious charter school after federal court allowed its application, testing constitutional limits on state funding for faith-based schools. Originally reported by The Conversation.
Supreme Court deadlocked
Justices deadlocked 4-4 on whether a Catholic school could open in Oklahoma.
“oklahoma statewide charter school board v. drummond”
Oklahoma blocks religious schools
Oklahoma courts ruled state funding for religious schools violates state law and the first amendment.
“violates oklahoma law and the first amendment”
Ben Gamla applies
Ben Gamla, a jewish organization, seeks to open a religious charter school in oklahoma.
“jewish organization whose application to participate in oklahomas charter school program was denied”
First Amendment test
The case tests how much public aid faith-based schools can receive under the first amendment.
“establishment clause forbids government from making laws respecting an establishment of religion”
Recent Supreme Court cases
Three cases expanded permissible aid to faith-based schools since 2017.
“trinity lutheran v. comer”
Oklahoma court ruling
Judge allowed ben gamla to proceed with its school application in oklahoma.
“federal court judge allowed a suit to proceed from ben gamla”
State appeal deadline
Oklahoma has 30 days to appeal the federal court decision.
“oklahoma has thirty days to appeal the judgment to the tenth circuit”
Supreme Court likely
The case may reach the supreme court after citing recent rulings.
“the court may make its way to the supreme court”
Next steps
Ben Gamla’s school could become america’s first religious charter school.
“america’s first religious charter school”
The bottom line
Oklahoma’s Jewish organization can now open a religious charter school after federal court allowed its application, testing constitutional limits on state funding for faith-based schools.
